2520 FEL loader "loading"

[smalltown]

I've been digging out rocks with my #46 backhoe, and yesterday there were two large rocks that I managed to get into the bucket for two diffferent
50' trips to the property line.

I could lift the bucket about a foot, but you could tell the tractor was really working to do that. As I ever so slowly backed up and tried to turn I found the power steering very hard. I managed to move back and forward a number of time turning the steering slowly each time. I wasn't really reved up maybe, 2k RPM maybe running higher would have helped.

My tractor is running fine, but I don't want to cause any problems with my 2520.

Do you think that the hydraulics were just working so hard that the rock weight caused was the steering issue?

Or was I just putting to much weight on the front steering hardware?

I was thinking that if I can lift it there would be no problems, but now I am so sure.

 

[glc24]

Hey smalltown
I feel it was the weight of the load.
Not rocks,but I was spreading 2B modified gravel yesterday. I have the 61" bucket,and man,that stuff is very heavy. Just about every time going into the pile,I could barely lift the bucket with a full load. In fact alot of times I had to start backing out to get the bucket to curl,and it wouldn't lift very much at all. I was running around 2K RPM also. I had 900lbs of ballast box,and honestly, I didn't have any steering issues. I just wonder weight wise what we were carrying.

BTW,how is the pressure in your front tires?

Greg

 

[megaboz]

I was thinking ballast would/ was needed. Very hard on steering as well as hard on the front axle. Also terrain could be causing too much traction. Also don't try to steer unless you are moving. It will help.

 

[Zebrafive]

I agree it must have been the weight in the bucket. You have the most lifting power at the ground and less as you go higher. If you could only lift 1' you had maximum weight on the front axle.

I've lifted so much the bucket would not curl and steering was so hard it took use of the rear wheel brakes.

Doubt you hurt anything. Give you an idea of the limits of your tractor.

 

[smalltown]

Thanks just wanted to ease my mind that I was not doing something wrong.
I think in the future if something is that difficult for the loader to lift that I will try another way to move it.

P.S. I think I had enough ballast on the rear as the #46 backhoe was back there at comes in at approx. 800 lbs.

 

[Deadman]

Several of us have reported this. The power steering at times doesn't work, and its especially evident when you have a heavy load on the FEL. I've felt mine do this many times. Not sure why, but it goes away right away so i always seem to forget about it.

 

[megaboz]

Today after running the tractor for a couple of hours in 90+ temps I noticed my PS not working very well and my fel was empty. Once I started moving it was find. So maybe air or just too hot of fluid.

But I do know the right traction and heavy loads can make a difference but in my case neither was an issue.

 

[jakdeere]

When i was clearing off my property i moved alot of 10' logs with my FEL and pallet fork attachment. After a few hours i experienced the same issues with my steering. I would give it a break for awhile and it was fine again.

 

[Proletarian]

My 3120 would have weird bouts of the steering suddenly becoming very stiff for no reason that I could conceive, neither could the dealer. So I sold it.